Roy Berko

Roy Berko, a life-long Clevelander, holds degrees, through the doctorate from Kent State, University of Michigan and The Pennsylvania State University. Roy was an actor for many years, appearing in more than 16 plays, 8 TV commercials, and 3 films. He has directed more than 30 productions. A member of the American Critics Association, the Dance Critics Association and The Cleveland Critics Circle, he has been an entertainment reviewer for more than twenty years.

For many years he was a regular on Channel 5, ABC-Cleveland's "Morning Exchange" and "Live on 5," serving as the stations communication consultant. He has also appeared on "Good Morning America." Roy served as the Director of Public Relations for the Volunteer Office in the White House during the first Clinton Administration.
He is a professor of communication and psychology who taught at George Washington University, University of Maryland, Notre Dame College of Ohio and Towson University. Roy is the author of 31 books. Several years ago, he was selected by Cleveland Magazine as one of the most interesting people in Cleveland.

Some people go to the theatre to be educated. Some go to see/listen to a pleasing combination of music and lyrics enclosed in a story. Others go to just have a good time. The latter group should run to their phones or computers right now and make reservations for LEND ME A TENOR. Beck's production is farce at its finest!

One of the major issues in watching a historidrama is figuring out what is real, what is fiction, and what is fantasy. This is especially the case in Lucas Hnath's ISAAC'S EYE, now on stage at convergence-continuum. Between the laughs and mumbles of 'I didn't know that,' 'wow,' and, 'no way,' it's easy to get lost in intrapersonal mumblings.

In October of 2012, when Cleveland Public Theatre first staged, STANDING ON CEREMONY THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS, 'same sex marriage was legal in nine states (Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Washington and the District of Columbia).' At the same time, '30 states had added language to their constitutions banning same-sex marriage.'

It is the intent of theater to educate and entertain, and, in the case of some special offerings, enrapture. Such a piece of theater is THE PIANIST OF WILLESDEN LANE, now on stage at Cleveland Play House.

Gina Gionfriddo, the author of BECKY SHAW, now on stage at Dobama Theatre, is one of the new breed of playwrights who reflect topics relevant to today, cleverly construct their writings, and uses language that shimmers with naturalism. They don't use stage language or formats like Arthur Miller or Eugene O'Neill, or the oft-present symbolism of Tennessee Williams, nor the existential philosophy of Edward Albee. Gionfriddo, along with such modernists as Neil LaBute and Rajiv Joseph, push the envelope, using real people interacting to highlight their foibles and weaknesses.

DIRTY DANCING, THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE, which is now in production at the Connor Palace transports the audience back to the summer of 1963. As is the custom of many well-to-do Jewish New York City families of that time, the Housemans have escaped for the summer to the Catskill Mountains, home of the Borscht Belt. It's a summer away from the sweltering city. It's a time for fun and games, and summer romances.

One of the major purposes of collegiate musical theater programs, besides teaching acting, singing and dancing skills, is to expand student knowledge of not only traditional, but new scripts. Kent State is offering its students such an opportunity by presenting MY HEART IS THE DRUM.

Beck Center for the Arts and Baldwin Wallace's Musical Theatre Program have, for the past four years, collaborated to produce some outstanding productions. CARRIE, SPRING AWAKENING and NEXT TO NORMAL all received Cleveland Critic Circle and Times Tribute recognitions.

PIPPIN, the Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics) and Roger O. Hirson (book) magical show is now on stage at The Palace Theatre. It tells a modern version of the mythical tale of Pippin, the oldest son of King Charlemagne, and his search for purpose and identity.

PILOBOLUS is noted for adding both physical and theatrical elements to dance presentations. They have been credited, in their 44 years of performances, to have added a new way for audiences to look at dance.

Thurgood Marshall has been called the 'greatest lawyer of the 20th Century,' 'Mr. Civil Rights,' and is credited with doing 'more than any other American to lift the burden of racism from our society.' It is only appropriate that his life and judicial story be told during Black History month. Ensemble is doing exactly that by presenting multi-award winner George Stevens, Jr.'s THURGOOD.

Cleveland Play House has in its recent history included small cast musicals in its offerings. Those shows included TAPPIN' THROUGH LIFE (Maurice Hines), BREATH AND IMAGINATION (Roland Hayes), WOODY SEZ; LIFE AND MUSIC OF WOODY GUTHRIE (Woody Guthrie), THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BESSIE SMITH (Bessie Smith), and ONE NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN (Janis Joplin). Each told a story about the person through their own words, their music, or from the mouths of those who knew them. Often they have been tied to Black History Month.

On the surface, Greg Pierce's SLOWGIRL, which is now on stage at Dobama, is the tale of a teenager who finds herself living a real-life nightmare and her confronting the issues with her reclusive uncle, who has problems of his own.

Brian Zoldessy, one of the area's most awarded actors, seems to be making a career of bringing real people to life. He was Ned Weeks, the AIDS activist in Ensemble's THE NORMAL HEART, Sigmund Freud, the recognized father of Psychoanalysis in Actors' Summit's FREUD'S LAST SESSION, and now he's reincarnating the renowned physicist, Albert Einstein. He won both Cleveland Critics Circle and Times Tribute Theatre awards for the former two roles, and the odds are he'll be receiving similar recognition for his most recent portrayal.

Pat Ciamacco, artistic director at Blank Canvas, has a 'thing' for off-beat musicals. Sure, he produced 'Hair' and 'Godspell,' but it's more likely that what you'll see mounted on his stage are 'Beach Blanket Party,' 'Debbie Does Dallas,' and 'Texas Chainsaw Musical.' I'm surprised he's missed out on 'Bullshot Crummond,' 'Dance of the Vampires,' 'Expresso Bongo,' 'Hands on a Hard Body, and, of course, 'The Rocky Horror Show.'